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Friday, June 13, 2014

Spring
is in the air, so it's time to give your home an exterior makeover and
add curb appeal. A few simple tricks can help boost your home's profile,
and ensure visitors get a good first impression when they arrive on
your doorstep.

Make a statement with your front door:

Your front door is one of the first things people notice about your
home. Is your door drab, drafty or just plain past its prime? Make a
bold statement and improve your home's energy efficiency with a new
Energy Star–qualified front door. Consider options with decorative glass
accents and stunning sidelights to add more natural light while
maintaining a sense of style and privacy.

"Finding entry doors that feature stylish options in a variety of
popular materials from wood to fiberglass and steel options is easy, and
the real beauty is in their performance," says Kathy Krafka Harkema of
Pella Windows and Doors. "When replacing your old front door, choose
from one that accents your home's style, with high–performance features
that help keep out air and water, and low–maintenance convenience like
durable prefinished options with coordinating trim."

Accessorize with new hardware:

Replace your front door hardware for a quick, easy facelift. Choose
hardware finishes consistent with those of your home's light fixtures,
mailbox and house numbers to maintain a polished, cohesive look. You'll
be surprised what a difference new hardware on your front door can make
in creating a positive look and feel.

Refresh exterior and trim colors:

Now's also a good time to add a new storm door to help keep out the
elements, or to add a refreshing coat of paint on your existing exterior
doors for a fresh look.

For a dramatic change, repaint your home's exterior. You can also change
trim color to refresh your home's exterior impact. When updating trim,
choose color schemes that match your home's primary exterior color, or
complement it with a fresh twist.

Accent with lighting:

For nighttime curb appeal and safety, add a row of exterior accent
lighting to illuminate a walking path with ground–insert solar lights.
Or consider solar spotlights to bring out landscaping or architectural
focal points. Install new matching light fixtures outside your front
door, garage door or patio door to create an inviting feel and provide
well–lit doorways to greet you and visiting neighbors and guests.

Create points of interest with plants:

Add pops of color by arranging potted plants around your front door, or
on a porch or deck. Incorporate planters or container gardens of varied
sizes, shapes and colors to add visual interest. Also, planting
flowerbeds along driveways and walkways gives your home a softer, more
inviting feel.

Wednesday, June 11, 2014

What's The Buzz? Your Backyard Beehive, Of Course!There
are always practices homeowners can adopt that will not only improve
the value and appearance of their property, but will also improve their
neighborhoods, communities, their own family's health and the
environment.

One thing a homeowner can do to impact their property and their world is to consider housing and maintaining a small beehive.

Why keep bees? Christy Hemenway, author of "The Thinking Beekeeper," and
founder of Gold Star Honeybees in Vermont says there is a bit of magic
to bees.

She says establishing a low–maintenance hive tucked away in the corner
of the yard will enhance the resurgence of a dwindling bee population,
while providing robust pollination to flowering plants around one's home
and landscape.

She believes Bee Colony Collapse Disorder, as reported in the news
recently, is absolutely connected to toxins being put into the
environment. And Hemenway's solution is her signature top bar hives.

They allow bees to make their own wax without a foundation – a piece of
plastic coated with wax, embossed with hexagons. Some hexagons in the
top bar comb are sized for food storage (honey), while others are for
raising young bees.

Hemenway says beekeeping is not labor intensive – owners can spend as little as an hour a week simply performing inspections.

Her premiere product is the Deluxe Top Bar Hive Kit, with every part
included, down to the glass observation window. All the owner must do is
assemble the hive using a screwdriver and staple gun.

Deluxe Top Bar Hive Kits come in the New Englander Model, with its black
roof for colder climates and the Arizona Model, with a white roof, for
where it's warmer. Hemenway's other two top bar hive kits allow for
beekeepers who enjoy the craft of woodworking to be more involved in the
process of building their bees' new home.

Tuesday, June 10, 2014

The Best Home Investment: A Wood Deck As
the seasons turn, more homeowners look for projects that not only make
their homes more livable, but also offer a great return on investment.
With demand high across the country for outdoor spaces that bring the
comforts of the indoors outside, there's no surprise that decks are one
of the top remodeling projects for 2014.

In fact, a residential wood deck addition has a recouped cost of 87.4 percent, according to Remodeling Magazine's
2014 Cost vs. Value Report, the second highest ROI midrange project
only behind an entry door replacement. That means adding a deck to your
property will increase your livable space so you can enjoy the outdoors
more while resting easy, knowing you're boosting the value of your home
investment.

If you think you'd like to add a wood deck to your home, you might
wonder about the different material options. "Although composite and PVC
decking have gained popularity in recent years, pressure–treated wood
decking still carries the lion's share of the market because it's
inexpensive, easy to work with and can be found at any lumberyard," says
Chris Fox, product manager at Universal Forest Products, a leading
supplier of lumber and decking materials.

Today's pressure–treated lumber comes with advancements that weren't
available to homeowners just a few years ago. For example, with more
homeowners seeking eco–friendly building materials, wood suppliers are
exploring environmentally–preferred treatment methods. For example,
ProWood's micronized copper azole (MCA) treated lumber decking is
eco–friendly, cost effective and easy to install.

MCA is a method for treating the wood (typically pine) using an
EPA–registered waterborne wood preservative system to protect against
termite attack and rot. MCA–treated lumber provides a light, natural
look, unlike other pressurized wood treatments that result in the
greenish hue with which most people are familiar.

You can leave MCA–treated lumber in its natural state for a more organic
appearance in your outdoor spaces, or you can choose ProWood Dura Color
decking that is color–infused with pigment driven deep into the wood
fibers. This process creates beautiful treated wood grain that will
stand up to the elements for many years, with no need for staining.

"People like the natural look of redwood and cedar, but they don't want
the drawbacks that come with them, such as the high price and the fact
that they quickly fade to gray," says Fox. "ProWood Dura Color lumber
not only looks like natural cedar or redwood, but the color lasts much
longer and is backed by a two–year color assurance warranty."

When researching treated wood materials for outdoor home improvement
projects, such as a deck addition, Fox suggests discussing the project
with the local lumber dealer and to be sure to understand and check the
end tag for:

1. The description of use (above ground or ground contact)2. Warranty statement3. The quality standards it meets4. Third–party quality inspection which assures product has passed retention and penetration tests.

Monday, June 2, 2014

MADISON –
Wisconsin existing home sales fell in April even as median prices
continued to rise according to the most recent analysis of the state
housing market released by the Wisconsin REALTORS®
Association (WRA). Home sales declined 11.6 percent in April compared
to the same month last year due to a combination of higher home mortgage
rates, higher prices and harsh winter temperatures. Median prices rose
over that same period, increasing 1.4 percent to $139,900.

“As we enter the second quarter of the year, we have been expecting some
improvement in home sales, but it’s important to remember that April
sales are still impacted by the February weather given the 6 to 8 week
lag between the time an offer is accepted and a closing takes place,”
said Steve Lane, Chairman of the WRA Board of Directors. He also noted
that there were heavy snows in the northern part of the state as late as
mid-April 2014. Every region of the state experienced a decline in
April sales. The Central region fared the best, falling just 3.8
percent over the April 2013 to April 2014 period, followed by the
Northeast region which dropped 8.5 percent over the period. The South
central region fell 9.6 percent and the Southeast region saw a decline
of 10.1 percent. Finally, the North region dropped 17.4 percent and the
West fell 25.5 percent. Interestingly, home sales fell more
substantially in the metropolitan counties which averaged a 13 percent
reduction in sales in April compared to rural counties which declined 7
percent between April 2013 and April 2014. “This may be due in part to
much tighter inventories in the urban counties compared to rural
counties,” said Lane. Rural counties had just over 14 months of
available inventory in April compared to just 6.9 months for
metropolitan counties.

“The national economy barely grew in thefirst quarter which under normal circumstances might suggest an economic slowdown, but even that has been partially blamed on the weather,” said
Michael Theo, WRA President and CEO. The advance estimate of first
quarter real GDP growth revealed that the economy grew at just 0.1
percent, and the combination of a harsh winter, lower trade and lower
inventory replacement kept the economy stagnate in the first quarter.
Countering that was a relatively strong consumption component of real
GDP, and a relatively strong April jobs report. The latter indicated a
stronger than anticipated 288,000 jobs created in the US in April which
is the largest monthly growth in more than 2 years. “The key to
sustained growth in the housing market is a growing economy we hope the
current employment trends continue,” said Theo.

For the second straight month, median home prices grew at a modest pace with April
prices up 1.4 percent over April 2013. “The relatively slower pace of
sales over the last four months has allowed our inventories to increase
this year although we are still below April 2013 levels,” said Mr. Theo.
The inventory of unsold homes stood at 8.9 months in April compared to
9.4 months this time last year. “We always expect our inventories to
expand in the winter since home sales cool off, and our inventories have
increased quite a bit this year, which has helped stabilize our
prices,” he said. Wisconsin median prices increased 7.2 percent in 2013
compared to 2012, and they were up 4.2 percent in the first quarter of
2014 relative to that quarter in 2013. In contrast, the price increases
the last two months have been less than 2 percent on an annual basis
which is more in line with general inflationary trends.

The Wisconsin Housing Affordability Index measures the percent of the median priced
home that the household with median family income can afford to buy at
current mortgage rates, assuming a 20 percent down payment. The index
currently stands at 231 compared to 252 in April last year. “Although
slipping slightly, Wisconsin still has very affordable housing, which is
an asset that continues to be a solid hedge against inflation,” he
added.

The Art of the Approach: Curb Appeal, and More

When considering the mysteries of what attracts the ultimate buyer,
few will deny that ?curb-appeal? is a sort of magic bullet. The term is a
buzz word for the enticing image of your home as seen from the street,
and is similar to the adage of ?judging a book by its cover.? Buyers who
rely upon this might overlook a treasure in the rough, but savvy
sellers know curb appeal is a key tool to finding a buyer more quickly.

Curb appeal is key when buyers are looking through multiple listings,
getting a feel for neighborhoods from the comfort of their cars -- just
?driving by.? Often, buyers will look at advertisements and listings
online or in print, and if they are local will take a peek on their way
home from work. Because of the power of this ?curb view,? often the
primary photographs used in advertisements and listings are from this
angle. Money spent in improving this viewing angle is among the smartest
investment. Simply put, painting and pruning trees and shrubbery can
transform a home, helping to shed light on its features.

Other aspects of the approach to a home can be equally enticing and
help to pave the way for a successful interior viewing. After all, when
care is taken to the outside of a home, people feel that the interior
will also have what they are looking for. Driveways and walkways that
are well maintained and artfully presented greet potential buyers as
soon as they step out of their vehicles.

Trees and shrubs that lose their leaves can create slick areas on
driveways and walkways and be unattractive if allowed to affect
landscaping and lawns. Ensure that you consider this when selecting
trees to plant near driveways, and keep leaves in check during fall
viewings. During the winter, when snow and ice might prove to be a
problem, it is essential to maintain driveways and walkways carefully.
This is not only for safety, but it illustrates the type of person who
has owned and maintained the house itself.

One helpful exercise is to take time to view a home with curb-appeal in
mind. At each juncture where a potential buyer might approach and view
your home or property, stop and look around. Notice details. Take
photographs. Look straight ahead, to the right and left, and even at the
ground. If there are appealing features, play those up. If there are
issues that block the enjoyment of the home, you can choose to address
them. In each instance, seek to frame the view of the home or property
in an appealing light, tending to the ground under foot, the areas close
to the viewer, and that which they see.

The Results of curb-appeal come when assessing views from inside the
home and at various places on the property. All views are important
because they are attention-getting elements of the property you are
selling. Views are memorable, and a bad one can deter potential buyers.

Whenever possible, seek to create eye-catching points around the
home. If certain views are less than desirable, seek to minimize,
distract, or even block those views. If you can remove the offensive
elements, do so, but whenever possible, contain them, screen them or
otherwise affect a change.

Additionally, certain areas in homes have an element of ?approach? to
them. You control all the views inside the home, so assess each one
carefully. The foyer or entryway has its own view into the home and
serves as a curb of its own, or a launching pad, so to speak. As a
viewer enters the home, moves to the living room, kitchen, master
bedroom, or backyard, each transition creates an impression and should
be considered a ?view.? Try walking through the home and noting the
approaches so that you can begin to create views within the home that
offer the best feelings and highlight the home's strengths. Make sure
lighting, furniture, and clutter are all under control so that
impressions are good every step of the way.

Follow these tricks for creating the best impression:

Ensure that the yard and landscaping is neat, tidy, and
well-maintained. Seek to flatter the home first, then to show off your
gardening skills. Freshly pruned vegetation illustrates careful
stewardship.

If flowering plants are past their prime, trim them back and add in
some seasonal plants for color. Re-edge and add mulch to existing beds.
Plants in containers may be easily changed out or positioned where they
are most needed, and if you invest in nice pots, you can take them with
you.

Control growth of large trees to optimize light and safety of the
home and surrounding buildings and property. Remove debris under trees
daily, if needed.

Pay close attention to the front door and garage doors, including
paint or stain condition and color, hardware and details ? these doors
command a lot of attention. Consider adding seasonal decorations like a
wreath or potted plants near the door, but keep these tasteful and few ?
don?t distract from the house itself.

Clean steps, ensuring that they are free of scratches, chips, moss
or signs of wear. Repair or upgrade handrails when appropriate.

A new Welcome Mat at the door will not only make a statement, it is
also an invitation for viewers to wipe their feet as they enter the
home.

Investing in new and unique numbers for your home not only makes it easy to identify, but can set it apart with flare.

Pressure wash the exterior of your home and ensure the gutters and roof are clean.

Assess and improve the driveway and any walkways to and around the home.

Upgrade lighting by doors and pathways. Providing safe and stylish
lighting will make your home stand out in viewings throughout the day
and evening.

Upgrade your mailbox. Creating a secure and attractive mail
receptacle is akin to having a plush welcome mat at the end of your
driveway or by your door.

Ensure that windows and screens are clean and well-maintained.
Viewers from both the inside and outside of the home rely on being able
to see through them. Shutters and screens should be in top shape.
Easy-to-install PVC trim neatens and dresses up older windows and doors.
Drapes and shades should be clean and in good working order.

Familiarize yourself with views from decks and various rooms, and improve those views when possible.

Decks can be used year-round in many places. Spruce up your deck,
porch or patio and show what an inviting space it can be to potential
buyers.